Which PTE test should I take?
Choose by the purpose of your application, not just the country you want to visit. This helper opens the relevant test guide and identifies the receiving rule to check before you book.
- No account
- No score promises
- Official confirmation required
What will you use your result for?
Select your purpose. The result points to the test covered by that choice; it does not assess eligibility, exemptions, admission or visa approval.
International study
PTE Academic
PTE Academic is Pearson’s academic English test and is widely used for international study applications.
Confirm that your institution accepts PTE Academic and check its required overall and skill scores.
Canada
PTE Core
PTE Core is the Pearson test approved by IRCC for Canadian economic immigration applications.
Check your exact IRCC program, required Canadian Language Benchmark level and score in every ability.
Australia
PTE Academic
PTE Academic is commonly used for Australian study and accepted migration purposes.
Check the current rule from your institution, visa pathway or professional registration body before booking.
United Kingdom
PTE Academic UKVI
PTE Academic UKVI is Pearson’s four-skill Secure English Language Test for relevant UK visa routes.
Use GOV.UK to identify the test and CEFR level required for your exact visa route.
United Kingdom
PTE Home
PTE Home is Pearson’s speaking-and-listening SELT offered at different CEFR levels for listed UK routes.
Check the required level and application date. Home stops at B1; published settlement rules require B2 on several routes from 26 March 2027.
Undecided
Compare PTE tests
PTE is a family of different tests, and the correct one depends on where and why you will use the result.
Identify the organization receiving your result and read its current accepted-test requirement.
Four centre-based options covered here
The names are similar, but the tests have different uses. Choose the exact test named by the university, government or other place that will use your score.
PTE Academic
Four skillsAcademic English for international study and other routes that clearly accept it.
Understand PTE Academic →PTE Core
Four skillsEveryday English for Express Entry and Canadian programs that list Core as accepted evidence.
Understand PTE Core →PTE Academic UKVI
UK SELT · four skillsThe UKVI version for relevant routes requiring an approved four-skill SELT.
Understand PTE Academic UKVI →PTE Home
UK SELT · two skillsSpeaking and listening at A1, A2 or B1 for listed UK routes.
Understand PTE Home →Make these decisions before booking
Starting with a date or nearby centre can lead to the wrong test. Work from the receiving requirement back to the booking.
- 01
Name the receiving authority
Identify the university, immigration program, visa route or professional regulator that will use your result.
- 02
Confirm the exact test and score
For a four-skills test, check the overall and each ability minimum. For Core, check CLB by ability. For Home, confirm the booked A1, A2 or B1 level.
- 03
Then choose a centre and date
Use Pearson’s live system for current locations, availability, identification rules and the price shown at checkout.
Confirm your test with the right organisation
Pearson confirms current PTE tests and booking rules. The government, university or professional body using your result confirms which test and scores it accepts.
If you have more than one application
Check each receiver separately. A Canadian course can accept Academic while an Express Entry profile requires Core. For UK study, the course and sponsor’s evidence instructions matter as well as the course level. One result should only be used for several purposes when every receiver explicitly accepts the product, scores and test date.
Already know your test? Continue to the booking rules, preparation lessons or result-sharing guide. The full exam overview also explains the separate PTE Express product; this helper focuses on the four centre-based options above.
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